Silverware buckets for automatic dishwashers



Oct. 25, 1960 R. N. WALES 2,957,817

SILVERWARE BUCKETS FOR AUTOMATIC DISHWASHERS Filed March 51, 1958 INVENTOR Richard N Wales zf fg M Afiys BUCK-ETS FOR AUTOMATIC Y SILVERWARE DISHWASHERS Richard N. Wales, Chicago, Ill., assignor to General 'Ihe present invention relates to silverware buckets 'fOl'. automatic dishwashers, and more particularly to such buckets that are adapted to receive the silverware during the detarnishing thereof in the dishwashers.

It :is a general object of the invention to provide an improved silverware-receiving bucket, that is adapted to 'be employed for the purpose noted, and that is of composite construction comprising an outer supporting bucket "element and an inner lining bucket element, wherein the inner bucket element is normally arranged in nested relation within the outer bucket element and constitutes areadily removable and disposable liner therefor, and .whereineach of the bucket elements is provided with an open top and a restricted drain hole in the bottom thereof so as' to accommodate the catching of a treating solution circulated in the vatof a dishwasher in which the bucket is arranged and the holding of a bath of the treating solutionin the inner bucket element during the circula- "tion of the treating solution in the vat and the subsequent draining of the bath of the treating solution from the'bucket following the circulation of the treating solution in the vat.

Another object. of the invention is to provide a composite. silverware bucket of the character described, wherein the inner bucket element is formed of the foil of ametal selected from the class consisting of aluminum iand magnesium so that it constitutes a sacrificial anode the silver detarnishing process that is carried out in the'dishwasherin which the bucket is arranged, and

wherein the inner bucket element is of integral one-piece folded construction formed from a single sheet of the metal foil mentioned;

2 A further object of the invention is to provide a composite silverware bucket of the character described, whereinthe outer bucket element-is formed of material capable of supporting and containing the inner bucket element Un w States Pattern Q :whe'ntit contains a bath of the treating solution, and

wherein the outer bucket element is of integral one- ,piece'molded construction and formed of a synthetic organic plastic material.

- Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the silverware bucket; whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and principle of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the fol- *lowing'specification, taken 'in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which: -*Figure 1 is a plan view of a silverware bucketvembodying the present invention;

i Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the silverware bucket, :this figure being taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;andp I t {Fig 3 is a partially exploded elevational view, partly broken away, of the silverware bucket, this view being ,taken in the direction of-the arrow 3 in Fig. 1.

'taining a suitable mild alkaline electrolyte.

2,957,817 Patented 0a. 25,1960

Referring now to the drawing, the silverware bucket 10 there illustrated and embodying the features of the present invention is especially adapted for use in receiving and holding silverware that is undergoing a detarnishing operation in an automatic dishwashing apparatus involving the detarnishing method disclosed in 'the copending application of Raymond L. Reinert, Serial No. 725,191, filed March 31, 1958.

Before proceeding with the description of the silverware bucket 10, it is first pointed out that in accordance with the detarnishing method disclosed in the Reinert application mentioned, the silverware bucket is removably supported in one corner of a movable dishrack arranged in the vat of dishwashing apparatus of the front opening type and of conventional construction, such, for example, as that disclosed in US. Patent No.

2,635,941, granted April 21, 1953, to Edgar S. Stoddard.

In the Reiner't arrangement, the silverware bucket is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and magnesium so that it constitutes a sacrificial anode in the detarnishing process, and the silverware bucket is provided with a drain hole in the bottom thereof so that during the circulation of the detarnishng solution in the vat of the wishwashing apparatus, a bath thereof is caught and held in the silverware bucket during the circulation thereof, but is drained therefrom through the drain hole following the circulation of the detarnishingsolution in the vat of the dishwashing apparatus.

a More particularly, in accordance with the Reinert method, automatic operation of the dishwashing apparatus effects a washing step of the silverware in a hot aqueous solution containing a suitable deter-gent, followed by a detarnishing treating step in a hot aqueous solution con- Thereafter, the silverware is subjected to a first rinsing step in hot water followed by a second rinsing step in a hot aqueous solution containing a suitable wetting agent. Thereafter, the silverware is subjected to a dynamic drying step in a current of hot air followed by a static drying step, without circulation of the air, in the vat of the dishwashing apparatus. As noted, the hot aqueous detarnishing solution contains a mild alkaline electrolyte, such, for example, as sodium tripolyphosphate; whereby the silver sulfide carried by the silverware, and constituting the fundamental tarnish thereon, is decomposed by a galvanic action in which the metal of the silverware :bucket is attacked with the formation of the corresponding hydroxide,

In carrying out the Reinent method, it will be appreciated that the metal of the silverware basket quickly films over with the corresponding hydroxide noted, thereby materially retarding the efliciency of the method, unless the operator effects periodic cleaning and polishing thereof for the purpose of removing the film mentioned.

Considering now in detail the construction and arrangement of the silverware bucket 10 embodying the features of the present invention, it comprises an outer supporting bucket element 11 and an inner bucket element 12, the inner bucket 12 being normally arranged in nested relation within the outer bucket element 11 and constituting a readily removable and disposable liner therefor. The bucket elements 11 and 12 are respectively provided with open' tops and restriced drain holes 11a and 12a in the respective bottoms thereof, so as to accommodate the catching of the treating or detarnishing solution that is circulated in the vat of the dishwashing apparatus in which the bucket 10 is arranged, as well as the holding of a bath of the treating or detarnishing solution in the inner bucket element 12 during the circulation thereof in the vat and the subsequent draining of the bathof the treating or detarnishing solution through the restricted drain holes 12a and 11a following the circulation of the treating or detarnishing solution in the vat of the dishwashing apparatus.

The inner bucket element 12 is formed of the foil of a metal selected from the class consisting of aluminum and magnesium so that it constitutes a sacrificial anode in the detarnishing process; and preferably, the inner bucket element 12 is of integral one-piece folded construction formed from a single sheet of the metal foil mentioned. The outer bucket element 11 is formed of material capable of supporting and containing the inner bucket element 12 when it contains a bath of the treating solution noted; and preferably, the outer bucket element 11 is of integral one-piece molded construction and formed of a synthetic organic plastic material. Preferably the outer bucket element 11 is formed essential-1y of a suitable molding resin, such, for example, as polyethylene.

In the construction example of the composite bucket 10 illustrated, each of the elements 11 and 12 may have a generally triangular configuration in transverse section so as to accommodate the ready reception of the composite bucket It) in the corner of the conventional wire- Work dishrack of the dishwashing apparatus of the front opening type mentioned. Moreover, in this constructional example, the bucket 10 may have a height of about 10 and each leg of the right triangle bounding the tubular side wall thereof may have a length of'about 5". The dimensions noted are in no way particularly critical although they accommodate the holding of a suitable number of pieces of silverware during the carrying out of the detarnishing operation; and also these dimensions afford the bucket with a volume adequate to accommodate the catching and holding of a suitable quantity of the detarnishing or treating solution so as to effect the complete submerging of the contained silverware.

Also as illustrated, the upper open top of the outer bucket element 11 is surrounded by an outwardly flared marginal rim 13; and similarly, the upper open top of the inner bucket element 12 is surrounded by an outwardly flared marginal rim 14. Also it is preferable that the rnidportions of the rims 13 and 14-disposed upon the hypotenuse walls of the respective bucket elements 11 and 12 be downwardly offset as indicated respectively at 13a and 14a, thereby providing an opening in the tubular side wall of the composite bucket 10 that is especially adapted to receive the detarnishing or treating solution that is circulated in spray form in the vat of the dishwashing apparatus by the impeller therein, it being appreciated that the impeller of the dishwashing apparatus is located at the bottom of the vat thereof and is operative to direct the body of liquid in the vat upwardly and outwardly therein, whereby the opening mentioned facing the interior of the vat accommodates the ready entrance of the circulated liquid into the inner bucket element 12.

As previously pointed out, when the detarnishing operation is effected, the metal of the inner bucket element 12 serves as a sacrificial anode, whereby the corresponding hydroxide (aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide) is formed with the resulting filming over of the inner surface of the inner bucket element 12. However, in the present example, this filming over or corrosion of the inner bucket element 12 is of no particular moment or bother to the operator as the inner bucket element 12 is readily removable and disposable after use and since it is contemplated that the user will be provided with one of the outer bucket elements 11 and a suitable number of preformed disposable inner bucket elements 12.

Accordingly in the use of the composite bucket 10, the operator places a fresh new preformed one of the inner bucket elements 12 into the outer bucket element 11 and then loads the silverware into the composite bucket 10. Thereafter, the bucket 10 and its contents is placed in the corner of the dishrack'of the dishwashing ried out. Thereafter, the bucket 10 is removed from the dishrack of the dishwashing apparatus and the detarnished silverware is removed from the inner bucket element 12. At this time, the inner bucket element 12 is somewhat filmed over, as previously noted, whereby it is discarded after removal thereof from the outer bucket element 11. The outer bucket element 11 is then dried and put away for subsequent use.

In the foregoing description, it was not intended to indicate that it was essential to discard the inner bucket element 12 after a single use thereof, as one of the bucket elements 12 may be capable of several uses in the detarnishing process before it is necessary to discard the same. However, the point is made that after the used inner bucket element 12 becomes filmed over, it is discarded, since it is formed of economical construction of the aluminum or magnesium foil noted; whereby it is unnecessary for the operator to attempt to clean the inner bucket element 12, since the removingof the metallic hydroxide film therefrom is by no means an easy task.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there'has been provided a composite silverware bucket that is expressly adapted for use in the detarnishing of silverware received thereby in an automatic dishwashing apparatus; which silverware bucket is of improved and simplified construction and arrangement so as to require no cleaning thereof by the operator.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: p

1. A silverware receiving bucket for an automatic dishwasher comprising an outer supporting bucket element and an inner lining bucket element, said inner bucket element being normally arranged in nested relation within said outer bucket element and constituting a readily removable and disposable liner therefor, each of said bucket elements being provided with an open top and'a restricted drain hole in the bottom thereof, so as to accommodate the catching of a detarnishing solution circulated in the vat of a dishwasher in which said bucket is arranged and the holding of a bath of the detarnishing solution in said inner bucket element during the circulation of the detarnishing solution in the vat and the subsequent draining of the bath of the detarnishing solution from said bucket following the circulation of the detarnishing solution in the vat, said inner bucket element being formed of the foil of a metal selected from the class consisting of aluminum and magnesium, and said outer bucket element being formed of material capable of supporting and containing said inner bucket element when it contains a bath of the detarnishing solution.

2. The silverware receiving bucket set'forthin'claim 1, wherein said inner bucket element is of integral one-piece folded construction and formed from a single sheet of the metal foil.

3. The silverware receiving bucket setforth in claim 1, wherein said outer bucket element is of integral one-piece molded construction and formed of a synthetic organic plastic material. I v

4. The silverware receiving bucket set forth in claim 3, wherein the material of construction of saidouter bucket element essentially comprises polyethylene;

5. A silverware receiving bucket for 'an automatic dishwasher comprising an outer supporting bucket'element and an inner lining bucket element, said inner'bu'cket element being normally arranged in nested'relationwithin said oute r bucket element and constituting a readily removable and disposable liner therefor, said buckethaving a configuration that is generally triangular in transverse apparatus and the in??? f t in mfithod is c section, so that it may be readily removably supported in place in the corner of an open-work rack arranged in the vat of a dishwasher, each of said bucket elements being provided with an open top and a restricted drain hole in the bottom thereof, so as to accommodate the catching of a detarnishing solution circulated in the vat of the dishwasher when said bucket is supported in the corner of a rack arranged in the vat and the holding of a bath of the detarnishing solution in said inner bucket element during the circulation of the detarnishing solution in the vat and the subsequent draining of the bath of the detarnishing solution from said bucket following the circulation of the detarnishing solution in the vat, said inner bucket element References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 13,880 Keyt Feb. 16, 1915 980,627 Genet Jan. 3, 1911 1,049,603 Rosenberg Jan. 7, 1913 1,083,992 Couch Jan. 13, 1914 

1. A SILVERWARE RECEIVING BUCKET FOR AN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER COMPRISING AN OUTER SUPPORTING BUCKET ELEMENT AND AN INNER LINING BUCKET ELEMENT, SAID INNER BUCKET ELEMENT BEING NORMALLY ARRANGED IN NESTED RELATION WITHIN SAID OUTER BUCKET ELEMENT AND CONSTITUTING A READILY REMOVABLE AND DISPOSABLE LINER THEREFOR, EACH OF SAID BUCKET ELEMENTS BEING PROVIDED WITH AN OPEN TOP AND A RESTRICTED DRAIN HOLE IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF, SO AS TO ACCOMODATE THE CATCHING OF A DETARNISHING SOLUTION CIRCULATED IN THE VAT OF A DISHWASHER IN WHICH SAID BUCKET IS ARRANGED AND THE HOLDING OF A BATH OF THE DETARNISHING SOLUTION IN SAID INNER BUCKET ELEMENT DURING THE CIRCULATION OF THE DETARNISHING SOLUTION IN THE VAT AND THE SUBSEQUENT DRAINING OF THE BATH OF THE DETARNISHING SOLUTION FROM SAID BUCKET FOLLOWING THE CIRCULATION OF THE DETARNISHING SOLUTION IN THE VAT, SAID INNER BUCKET ELEMENT BEING FORMED OF THE FOIL OF A METAL SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF ALUMINUM AND MAGNESIUM, AND SAID OUTER BUCKET ELEMENT BEING FORMED OF MATERIAL CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING AND 